1. What is it and where does it come from?
4-androstenediol (4-AD) is an anabolic testosterone precursor much like androstenedione and cousin 5-Androstenediol. The main benefits it has over regular andro are: Three times the effectiveness, no conversion to estrodiol or DHT, and it's more anabolic. Those key differences are making 4-AD the new standard in testosterone boosting, anabolic prohormones. So how does it work? Basically, an enzyme in the liver (17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) converts it to testosterone, meaning that it's basically one step away. Its technical name is 4-androstene-3-beta,17-beta-diol. High quality 4-androstenediol is available from Bodybuilding.com.
2. What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?
Boosting testosterone levels is the key goal here. Your testosterone level is a significant factor in gaining lean muscle mass and increasing strength and size. 4-Androstenediol works to crank up the juice running through your veins and sustain elevated levels of testosterone for 2 hours. It's meant to be taken about one-half hour before weightlifting or strength-training. In this way, 4-androstenediol has the ability to cause a greater muscle growth faster, increasing strength, size and lean muscle mass at a greater rate during the workout period. Testosterone levels are also relevent in increasing muscle recovery times, healing muscle, and increasing the state of muscle hypertrophy while decreasing the rate of muscle atrophy. Testosterone also increases the oxygen-carrying capability owing to greater red blood cell volume.
Now, this might hurt just a bit. Imagine androstenedione, the andro favorite, working three times better. Ouch! Not only do studies show that 4-AD converts to testosterone at a rate of 15.76% compared to 5.61%, but WITHOUT aromitizing into estrogen and DHT! NOW that would be cool! ...I'd go as far as to say that 4-AD is the greatest testosterone booster that is readily available at this time.
A highly effective, highly recommended stack containing 4-AD is available to help you naturally boost your testosterone levels! This stack will literally get your body to naturally increase your T levels from the average 500nl/dl to a whopping 1040nl/dl...BEFORE you even add the 4-AD! To top it off, the 4-AD adds the true testosterone, strength increasing surge at the end to bring your level up another 300 ng/dl to 1340 ng/dl
3. Who needs it and what are some symptoms of deficiency?
All bodybuilders, muscle men, and weight trainers who would like to improve the efficiency of their bodies can benefit from supplementation of 4-androstenediol. Caution: HUGE gains, BIG bodies, and ULTIMATE power may result! The symptoms generally associated with a deficiency do not apply to 4-androstenediol because it is not an essential nutrient.
4. How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?
Recommended doses of 4-androstenediol are between 100 mg and 600 mg per day. New research has shown that higher doses of 4-Diol increases testosterone much more than previously thought! This is exciting because people who haven't seen results using 100mg can now try the new higher doses and almost be assured of awesome results! Because of its androgenic properties, it is not a recommended supplement for women.